search engine optimisation for ChatGPT includes optimizing your web site and wider on-line presence to extend and enhance your model’s look in ChatGPT solutions to consumer queries.
Beneath, we’ll clarify the advantages of optimizing for ChatGPT, the three steps you’ll be able to take to optimize for the platform, and learn how to measure your outcomes.
Why Ought to You Do search engine optimisation for ChatGPT?
It’s best to do search engine optimisation for ChatGPT as a result of it may enhance your visibility inside ChatGPT’s responses (and people from different AI instruments) and also can allow you to meet extra particular search intents.
Elevated Visibility
Optimizing your model’s on-line presence for ChatGPT will increase the probability that the AI software will cite or point out your model in its responses, which interprets to extra consciousness and presumably much more web site visitors.
Optimizing for ChatGPT includes lots of the identical techniques as optimizing for AI search on the whole, that means extra visibility in platforms like Claude, Perplexity, and Google’s Gemini—which powers AI Mode and AI Overviews.
Our AI Visibility Index exhibits there’s vital overlap between the manufacturers talked about by ChatGPT and Google’s AI Mode.

There’s additionally overlap between showing in ChatGPT responses and rating properly in Google natural search. To gauge this overlap. I in contrast pet feeder model Petlibro’s ChatGPT citations with its Google key phrase rankings.
I used Semrush’s AI Visibility Toolkit to see which pages on Petlibro’s web site are at present being cited (that means linked) in ChatGPT’s responses. After eradicating any pages that have been on totally different subdomains or returned 404 errors, I discovered that 131 pages on Petlibro’s website are being cited.

I then used the Natural Analysis software to learn the way many key phrases every of the AI-cited pages ranked for. This illustrates whether or not these pages being cited by ChatGPT are additionally showing in natural Google search outcomes.
I discovered that 85% of Petlibro’s AI-cited pages additionally rank for at the very least one key phrase in Google search. Slightly below 50% of the pages cited by AI rank for greater than 10 key phrases, and over 11% of pages cited by AI rank for greater than 50 key phrases.
|
Vary |
Key phrases |
|
0 |
20 |
|
1-10 |
47 |
|
11-25 |
34 |
|
26-50 |
15 |
|
51-75 |
4 |
|
76-100 |
4 |
|
101+ |
7 |
Excluding two outliers that ranked for 700+ key phrases, the common variety of key phrases Petlibro’s ChatGPT-cited pages rank for is nineteen. This means there’s a correlation between ChatGPT citations and natural search efficiency.
So, optimizing your content material for ChatGPT can also enhance your probabilities of showing in natural search outcomes—and vice versa.
Additional studying: search engine optimisation Strategies to Enhance Natural Site visitors + Rankings
Meet Extra Particular Intents
Consumer prompts in AI instruments like ChatGPT are usually extra particular than key phrases customers sort into conventional serps like Google, which generally signifies customers have clear objectives and powerful intent (i.e., they’re extra more likely to convert).
Listed here are some examples of these prompts in ChatGPT (that are far more particular than imprecise phrases like “computerized canine feeder” that Petlibro ranks for in Google):
- Are you able to suggest some in style manufacturers for high-speed cat toys?
- What are one of the best apps or gadgets to remind me to feed my canine?
- How do I select one of the best pet-proof feeder for my cats and canines?
Customers are asking ChatGPT detailed questions with particular constraints and context—like forgetting to feed pets and discovering a feeder for households with each cats and canines. This degree of element suggests they’re actively on the lookout for options. And that makes them probably extra beneficial.
The right way to Do search engine optimisation for ChatGPT in 3 Steps
Step 1. Guarantee Your Website Is Listed by Search Engines
ChatGPT makes use of conventional serps like Bing and Google when it runs net searches in response to consumer prompts. Getting your web site and content material listed in these serps can due to this fact enhance your probabilities of displaying up in ChatGPT responses.
Make Positive You’re in Bing’s Index
One of many serps ChatGPT makes use of to go looking the net is Bing, which suggests having your content material listed in Bing can enhance your probabilities of being cited by ChatGPT.
Arrange Bing Webmaster Instruments to watch your website’s indexing standing. Then, submit your XML sitemap via the “Sitemaps” part. This may help Bing discover and index your web site’s pages.

Use the “Website Explorer” to find pages with indexing points. Use the “Filter by” drop-down to search out URLs that:
- Have crawling points (404 errors that may forestall Bing from crawling and indexing the web page)
- Are blocked by your robots.txt file (URLs you’re explicitly disallowing serps from crawling)
- Have unintentional noindex tags (these are tags you’ll be able to add to pages to forestall serps from indexing them)
If the URL doesn’t have any points however bing hasn’t listed it but, or you probably have already mounted the problems, click on the “Request indexing” button to encourage Bing to index it. If there is a matter with the URL, click on “Examine URL” to get extra particulars about the issue.

Use IndexNow to inform Bing (and different supporting serps) if you publish or replace content material. Observe Bing’s information to set it up, after which use the “IndexNow” tab to maintain monitor of the submitted URLs. Quicker indexing in Bing can result in your new content material being cited and/or talked about in ChatGPT sooner.

Make Positive You’re in Google’s Index
ChatGPT additionally makes use of Google to go looking the net, so being listed in Google can enhance your probabilities of showing in ChatGPT responses.
Use Google Search Console (GSC) to watch your website’s indexing standing in Google. First, submit a sitemap to GSC to enhance your probabilities of getting listed in Google.

Then, go to the “Pages” report and scroll all the way down to the “Why pages aren’t listed” part to see a abstract of the explanations Google hasn’t listed your pages. Clicking into every challenge will present you an inventory of URLs with that downside stopping indexation.

When you’ve mounted the difficulty, click on the “Validate Repair” button to sign to Google that the affected pages are able to be listed.

You can even navigate to particular URLs and click on “Request Indexing” when you’ve mounted points on particular URLs to extend the probabilities of Google indexing the web page. This will make it extra doubtless that ChatGPT will discover your content material and probably use it in responses.

Step 2. Write Content material That’s Primed for AI Extraction
Structuring your content material correctly and utilizing clear writing makes it extra doubtless that ChatGPT will cite or point out your model in responses.
Use a Clear Content material Construction
Utilizing descriptive headings, quick paragraphs, and lists makes it simpler for ChatGPT to grasp your content material and extract sections for its solutions.
Use descriptive headings all through your content material to make it clear what every part is about. Additionally contemplate the place your headings can match related consumer questions.
For instance, “The right way to Construct Backlinks” maps simply to consumer questions. (Not each heading must be or relate to a query.)
Discover the questions your audience is asking ChatGPT utilizing the “Narrative Drivers” report inside the AI Visibility Toolkit (be sure that to pick out “ChatGPT from the drop-down on the prime).
Scroll all the way down to “Breakdown by Query” and select “Not current” within the “Place” drop-down to see questions your model at present doesn’t seem for. These prompts characterize gaps the place your viewers is asking questions that you possibly can reply with optimized content material.

Additionally hold your paragraphs quick and centered on one thought every. This will enhance readability for customers whereas additionally making your content material simpler to extract for AI instruments.
Lastly, use formatting like bullet factors and numbered lists to prepare info in your pages. Once more, these assist with readability whereas additionally being in a format that ChatGPT makes use of lots.

Use a Direct and Particular Writing Type
Utilizing direct solutions and particular quotes, outcomes, and examples can enhance your probabilities of getting cited in ChatGPT’s responses.
Reply your audience’s questions instantly and immediately. Like this:

For instance, let’s say one in every of your H2s is “What Is search engine optimisation?” Your first sentence below this heading ought to immediately reply the query with one thing like “search engine optimisation is the observe of optimizing an internet site for serps.”
Discover how the primary phrases within the sentence below the heading (“search engine optimisation is”) mirror the wording of the query within the heading (“What’s search engine optimisation?”).
Past utilizing clear and direct writing, additionally make your self straightforward to cite by together with professional quotes, concrete case research outcomes, and particular examples that ChatGPT can use in its responses to customers.
For instance: “Paid promoting on LinkedIn generated 22% extra leads for the model per greenback of advert spend than utilizing Fb advertisements.”
Step 3. Construct Model Mentions and Authority Indicators
Constructing backlinks and model mentions from related, authoritative sources could affect whether or not ChatGPT will reference your content material or model in its solutions.
Proceed Constructing Backlinks
Earn backlinks from web sites ChatGPT ceaselessly cites as a result of hyperlinks from these sources carry extra weight than hyperlinks from unrelated websites or websites ChatGPT doesn’t deem authoritative.
To establish which internet sites to focus on, ask ChatGPT questions in your area of interest and word which sources it cites most ceaselessly.
For instance, let’s say you promote cookware. You possibly can enter a question like “what are one of the best ceramic non-stick pot manufacturers?” and see which sources ChatGPT cites for its responses. On this case, you’d wish to get backlinks from websites like Good Housekeeping, Natural Authority, and The Spruce Eats.

Repeat the method of seeing which web sites seem for different related prompts. Or just enter your model into the AI Visibility Toolkit’s “Visibility Overview” report and select “Chat GPT” from the AI platform drop-down.

Then, scroll all the way down to the “Subjects & Sources” part and choose “Cited Sources” to see the highest web sites ChatGPT cites for queries associated to your model. These are all potential backlink targets.

Get Model Mentions in Related Publications
Getting mentions of your model in related and authoritative publications—with or with out a backlink—helps ChatGPT perceive your model’s relevance and experience to extend your probabilities of showing in ChatGPT responses.
Different web sites’ mentions of it’s also possible to be used immediately in ChatGPT’s responses.
For instance, ChatGPT contains GreenPan in its response to the query about one of the best non-stick ceramic cookware manufacturers. But it surely’s together with that model as a result of the supply it cites (Good Housekeeping) mentions GreenPan in its personal information.

Give attention to getting model mentions in publications that ChatGPT ceaselessly cites. Use the identical “Cited Sources” report you used to search out backlink alternatives above to establish which internet sites ChatGPT pulls from in your trade, then prioritize outreach to these retailers.
The right way to Measure Your ChatGPT search engine optimisation Efficiency
Monitor your ChatGPT efficiency by testing whether or not ChatGPT cites or mentions your model in response to related prompts.
Enter queries your audience would ask into ChatGPT and word whether or not ChatGPT cites your model, which different particular pages it references, and the way prominently your content material seems in solutions.
Examine ChatGPT prompts for various question varieties, together with:
- Branded searches
- Product class questions
- How-to queries associated to your experience
Create a spreadsheet logging the question, date, whether or not you have been cited, whether or not you have been talked about, and which opponents appeared within the responses. Repeat these searches over time and log the outcomes to grasp whether or not your efforts are working.
Use Semrush’s AI Visibility Toolkit to automate and scale this monitoring. The software will present you:
- Which prompts your model is showing in ChatGPT for
- How your visibility compares to your opponents
- The sentiment towards your model in ChatGPT
Simply go to “Model Efficiency,” enter your area, and choose “ChatGPT Internet Search” from the mannequin drop-down.

You’ll see a chart illustrating you and your opponents’ shares of voice versus relative to your sentiment scores. In different phrases: how seen your model is in ChatGPT and the way positively you’re being portrayed.

Head to the “Notion” report back to study what’s influencing your sentiment rating. The “Model Power Components” are areas the place you’re at present sturdy. And the “Areas for Enchancment” are suggestions for enhancing your model sentiment in ChatGPT.

Within the “Narrative Drivers” report, choose “Not current” within the “Place” drop-down to deal with prompts you don’t but seem for. Select a spread within the “Rivals” drop-down to search out prompts your rivals at present seem for and in what place (i.e., how near the beginning of the AI response they seem).

Create or optimize content material focusing on these prompts to extend your visibility in ChatGPT responses.
Enhance Your Model’s Visibility with search engine optimisation for ChatGPT
Optimizing your on-line presence for ChatGPT makes it extra doubtless that your model will probably be talked about or cited in ChatGPT’s responses.
However ChatGPT isn’t the one AI system it’s best to optimize for to enhance your total on-line visibility. You must also optimize for techniques like Perplexity, Gemini, and Google’s AI Mode and AI Overviews. Do that with Semrush’s AI Visibility toolkit.
You may monitor your model’s presence throughout platforms to grasp:
- The place your model is displaying up
- The place your opponents are being cited and talked about extra usually than you might be
- How your model is portrayed in AI techniques









